Enforcement Action Succeeds in Improving Housing Standards

October 4, 2019

Lengthy enforcement activity by the Council to stop the unlawful conversion of industrial buildings in Fraser Road Erith into sub-standard housing has ended well.

Bexley took enforcement action against the owners of the site. The owners made three appeals against two planning enforcement notices and the Council’s refusal of a planning application. All were considered at a public inquiry in March.

The planning inspector delivered his decision this month. Bexley won all three appeals and an award of costs.

Bexley has now given consent for a revised proposal, which will provide much better accommodation and appropriate uses. It has also approved a revised proposal for another part of the site. Both involve specified business use at ground floor level with living/work units on the upper floors.

“We have made clear in our Growth Strategy that we will try to manage new development, so it benefits local people,” said Councillor Louie French, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet for Growth. “I am pleased that the action by our planning team has resulted in better accommodation and compliance with our policies on land use.”

The Council acted after the owner of several buildings in Fraser Road unlawfully converted them into 33 substandard units several years ago, which had inadequate floorspace, light and outlook, with no access to outside space.

Council inspectors also found that that part of the site was also being used as a place of worship without planning permission.